In this latest edition of the Quad Shot, Ric presents why Denver Nuggets' center Nikola Jokic has less talent around him than LeBron James or Steph Curry; the astonishing lack of competitive fire being displayed by the Phoenix Suns; the process through which Golden State Warriors' coach Steve Kerr has built an undefeated starting lineup (and quieted his critics); and his request for help in reconciling recent head-scratching comments by LeBron James.

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Ric interviews John Carter, CEO of Noah Basketball Technology, about the shooting technology used by 28 NBA teams and hundreds of college and university programs, including all four men's Final Four teams. The two discover that they have a host of similar connections in the basketball world and that Bucher -- and his collegiate basketball-playing daughter -- used prototype versions of Carter's technology without knowing it.

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Ric digs into the reports detailing the Los Angeles Lakers' disenchantment with, and willingness to trade, Anthony Davis, as well as the arguments being made for and against the NBA's top two candidates for Most Valuable Player, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

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Ric discusses the heated reaction to NBA teams resting their star players against certain opponents and whether there is merit to believing teams are intentionally trying to lose specific games against particular opponents.

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Ric discusses the state of the defending champion Boston Celtics and the importance of Kristaps Porzingis, indications that Nikola Jokic's supporting cast with the Denver Nuggets has plateaued, new Los Angeles Laker Luka Doncic assuming the same form he had in Dallas and why the squabble between the Knicks swingman Mikal Bridges and coach Tom Thibodeau is not the mark of championship-caliber teams.

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Ric discusses what the recent battle between the Celtics and Lakers revealed about the two teams and weighs in on the soap opera involving ESPN host Stephen A. Smith, LeBron James and his son and teammate, Bronny James.

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Ric discusses the multitude of disagreements over the NBA currently in vogue: who the greatest player is, the quality of the league and the way in which the league is covered.

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Ric covers four of the NBA's hottest current storylines: why Jimmy Butler has had such a profound effect on the Warriors since being acquired from the Miami Heat; former NBA forward Channing Frye's assertion that nostalgia is why today's stars are viewed as inferior to their predecessors; how to view the Los Angeles Lakers' surprising, and dominating, win over the Denver Nuggets; and why the Knicks appear not to be living up to expectations this season.

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Ric discusses -- and challenges -- the criticism heaped upon last week's NBA All-Star Game and points to a much more glaring issue the league faces.

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Ric discusses what he learned about the focus and ambition of the NBA's newest media partners over All-Star Weekend and whether or not their actions reflect their proposed intentions.

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